Used Citroën C3 Picasso

What to know before buying: Citroën C3 Picasso

From 6 video reviews · updated 23/09/2026

What the reviews say

• The high seating position, expansive glazing and split front pillars provide excellent visibility and make urban driving easier.[2][3][4]Citroën C3 Picasso
• The sliding, folding rear bench lets owners trade passenger room for luggage space; the boot reaches 500 litres and the folded seats create a flat floor.[2][3][4]Citroën C3 Picasso
• The ride is generally comfortable, although the soft setup allows body movement in bends and wind noise can be noticeable around the windscreen on motorways.[2][3]Citroën C3 Picasso
• The manual gearshift has a long, sometimes vague action, although the sources do not describe this as a mechanical fault.[1][2][4]Citroën C3 Picasso

Typical faults

• On the 1.6 EP6, timing-chain stretch can cause poor cold starts, loss of pull, noise and incorrect valve timing; initial signs are reported at about 130,000 km.[6]one sourceCitroën C3 Picasso

  130 000–130 000 km · 1.6 EP6

• Oil consumption is reported on the 1.4 EP3 and 1.6 EP6 petrol engines, with stuck rings or worn valve-stem seals cited as possible causes.[5][6]Citroën C3 Picasso

  1.4 EP3, 1.6 EP6

• Beyond 100,000 km, EP6 cam-cover seals can leak oil into the spark-plug wells and make starting difficult.[6]one sourceCitroën C3 Picasso

  100 000+ km · 1.6 EP6

• The EP6 is sensitive to overheating; the source estimates original water-pump life at roughly 60,000–90,000 km, with the thermostat and radiators also needing attention.[6]one sourceCitroën C3 Picasso

  60 000–90 000 km · 1.6 EP6

• The automated manual may need clutch or actuator work around 80,000–100,000 km, while its hydraulic hardware and dual-mass flywheel can be expensive to repair.[5][6]Citroën C3 Picasso

  80 000–100 000 km

• The heavy front doors can sag and rub paint from the apertures; corrosion may develop beneath the door mouldings and on the sills, especially behind the front wheels.[5]one sourceCitroën C3 Picasso
• Some cars developed paint blistering on the tailgate in their third or fourth year of use; dealers often addressed these cases under warranty.[6]one sourceCitroën C3 Picasso

Which engine and version to take

• The source's preferred combination is the 1.6 HDi diesel with a manual gearbox: the engine is described as durable and the five-speed BE4 as generally reliable.[5]one sourceCitroën C3 Picasso
• In later cars, the 1.2-litre petrol was judged sufficiently punchy and economical; for high mileages, the BlueHDi 100 offers stronger pull and more relaxed motorway driving.[3]one sourceCitroën C3 Picasso

What to avoid

• Avoid neglected 1.4 EP3 and 1.6 EP6 cars: the sources cite weak timing chains, oil consumption, and sensitivity to long oil-change intervals and overheating.[5][6]Citroën C3 Picasso
• Avoid the automated manual without documented servicing and faultless operation: it is sensitive to use, and clutch or hydraulic-system repairs can be costly.[5][6]Citroën C3 Picasso

What to check at the inspection

• Start the petrol engine from cold: listen for chain noise, check idle quality and acceleration, and scan for faults, particularly P0010–P0014.[6]one sourceCitroën C3 Picasso
• Check for oil in the spark-plug wells and leaks around the cam cover, crankshaft seals, and the engine-to-gearbox joint.[6]one sourceCitroën C3 Picasso
• Inspect the cooling system, water pump, thermostat and radiators; the EP6 does not tolerate overheating well.[6]one sourceCitroën C3 Picasso
• On the manual gearbox, check the driveshaft seals, oil level, noises, synchromesh operation and shift mechanism.[5][6]Citroën C3 Picasso
• Test the automated manual both cold and warm, and request records for clutch, actuator and hydraulic-system maintenance.[5][6]Citroën C3 Picasso
• Rock the front doors vertically and inspect their apertures, the sills behind the front wheels, areas beneath mouldings, the bonnet underside and tailgate paint.[5][6]Citroën C3 Picasso
• Ensure the electric power steering works consistently and shows no faults: failures are uncommon, but the rack-and-assistance assembly is expensive.[5][6]Citroën C3 Picasso

Verdict

Sources

1. [1]The Racing Lines — Should you buy a Citroen C3 Picasso? | 2 Months of Ownership · ▶ video
2. [2]Car and Driving - Car Reviews — CITROEN C3 PICASSO (2009-2017) FULL REVIEW - 'BEST OF THE BUNCH' · ▶ video
3. [3]What Car? — 2017 Citroën C3 Picasso review | What Car? · ▶ video
4. [4]Autotrader — Citroen C3 Picasso MPV car review · ▶ video
5. [5]Motorro — Стоит ли брать Citroen C3 Picasso (2008-2017)? · ▶ video
6. [6]Первый Видео Авто Рынок — Citroen C3 Picasso | Технический обзор от "РДМ-Импорт". О чем надо знать выбирая б/у Ситроен. · ▶ video

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